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The University of Southampton
ArchaeologyPart of Humanities

University of Southampton and the British Museum AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Award (CDP)

Published: 17 April 2013
Avenue Campus

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship for three years offered as an AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Award between the British Museum and the Department of Archaeology, University of Southampton.

Sailing the Monsoon Winds in Miniature: Model boats as evidence for Indian Ocean maritime technologies, cultures and collecting.

This PhD asks what can be learnt from models of boats found in Museum collections. The research will specifically target boat models in museum collections that originated in the Indian Ocean; about the maritime cultures, technological traditions of boat building and the histories of collecting maritime related artefacts from around the Indian Ocean. Models of non-European and North American ships and boats are found in many museums, but they are rarely studied and poorly understood. This thesis will be a ground breaking study of these artefacts and ask what value they have for researchers and museums through studying their contribution to understanding the maritime history and cultures of the Indian Ocean. See below for a fuller description of the project.

The project will involve research at the British Museum and other museums in the UK and will contribute to an exhibition being planned by the British Museum and Western Australia Museum on the Indian Ocean. It will provide unique opportunities for a student to experience working closely with museum collections and curators while studying for a PhD.

The student will be registered at the University of Southampton and supervised by Dr Lucy Blue in the Centre for Maritime Archaeology. Dr J D Hill will be the British Museum supervisor for a topic that cross-cuts its departments; principally Asia, Middle East and Africa, Oceania and the Americas. The student will be a member of the world’s leading museum as well as participating in one of the foremost research intensive universities in the UK. Both partners will provide opportunities for training and career development. Including through a new joint training programme for all CDP students supported by London based National Museums, the British Library and the National Archives.

The studentship is tenable for a maximum of three years, commencing October 2013, at an annual stipend of currently £14,276 and will pay postgraduate tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. The British Museum will cover up to £3,500 towards appropriate travel and research expenses over the studentship: up to £500 between October 2013 and March 2014; up to £1000 for each of following three Financial Years (not Academic Years).

Candidates require a good 2:1 honours degree and an MA (or equivalent) in either archaeology, history, museum studies, anthropology or related disciplines. An interest in maritime aspects of these disciplines is preferable; and a strong interest in one or more the following is essential; maritime archaeology, history or cultures; Indian Ocean studies; or histories of museums and their collections.

It is desirable for candidates to have experience of studying material culture; familiarity with computer databases; and a reading knowledge of another European language. You must be a resident of the UK or an EU country to be eligible to apply. Please note EU students who meet residency requirements (resident in the UK for 3 years or more directly prior to application for the purposes of study or other) may be considered for a full award of fees and maintenance; EU applicants who do not meet residency requirements will be eligible for a fees only award.

For further details of the project contact l.blue@soton.ac.uk or jhill@britishmuseum.org

Aplication for the studentship is by a covering letter, explaining why you feel you are suitable for this research project, accompanied by a CV and a sample of written work (5,000 words, max). Please also arrange for two academic references to be sent independently by the deadline. All material should be sent to pgafh@soton.ac.uk.

Deadline for applications: Friday 31st May 2013

Interviews will take place on the morning of Friday 14th June.

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